Page 30 of Unwritten Rules (The Sunburnt Hearts #1)

This time is different. I refuse to sit back and allow that asshole to hurt Tatum when I can do something about it. I’m not walking away this time.

Shoving the chair out from under me, I ignore Khai yelling over the music for me to stop, to think about what I’m doing, but I don’t. My attention is focused on the blonde fucker who has his hand on Tatum’s hip as they dance, wearing a shit-eating grin, thinking he’s about to get lucky tonight.

Not on my fucking watch.

He doesn’t sense my presence before I’m shoving him to the side, pushing the slimy fuck as far away as I can.

Tatum gasps, her eyes rounding at the edges as they meet the side of my face.

But I don’t look at her. No. My eyes are set on the blonde guy who stands a few inches shorter than me, crooked nose flaring like a raging bull.

“What the fuck is your problem?” he roars, squaring his shoulders. His friend leaves Raya to back up his buddy.

Lucky me. Two dickheads for the price of one.

“You better get the fuck out of here before I waltz my ass over to the bouncer and tell them you slipped something into her drink.”

His face pales at the same time Tatum gasps, peering down at the drink in her hand. The tremble in her hand doesn’t go unnoticed by me, and now I’m reconsidering my decision not to beat this guy’s ass.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His posture is straight and confident, but his voice quivers at the edges. “You had no right to touch me like that.”

“I could’ve done a lot more than shove you, so consider yourself lucky.” I reach out and wrap my hand around Tatum’s wrist, tugging her behind me. “You better get the fuck out of my sight before I change my mind.”

The blonde’s hero friend steps up to bat, puffing out his chest like it will help make him taller. It’s laughable, really.

“Don’t talk to him like that,” the guy with frosted tips grunts, folding his arms over his chest. “You can’t just come over here and demand we leave without proof of what you’re accusing him of.”

Khai steps beside me, cracking his knuckles. I’m grateful for his presence because I’m going to need some back up if shit hits the fan.

“So if I force her drink down your throat, nothing will happen, right? Go on. Be my guest.”

The preppy guys share a knowing look, but neither of them seem willing to back down or admit they’re in the wrong. Unfortunately for them, neither am I. If anything, I’m just getting started.

A crowd is starting to form around us, curious eyes investigating the nature of the showdown.

Once a phone appears, I’ll need to get the hell out of here.

The last thing I need is for some drunk fool to recognise me and Khai and upload a video to social media.

Coach Phil will have a fucking field day with this, not to mention his daughter being involved.

“That’s what I thought,” I continue after the weight of their silence settles over me, adding fuel to the fire growing beneath my skin. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

The blonde guy who had been touching Tatum sneers at me before turning his attention to where she’s hidden behind me, her hands gripping the back of my leather jacket. “Whatever. You’re not hot enough to fuck anyway.”

Blood rushes in my ears as ice floods my veins.

My first instinct is to put my fist in this assholes mouth to stop him from spewing more shit or consider breaking his nose, but someone beats me to the punch.

My eyes round at the edges when dark liquid splashes in his face, drenching his hair and white T-shirt.

His hands fly to his face, wiping the liquid off his mouth while his friend glowers over my shoulder.

“You bitch!” the blonde roars, face twisted in anger. “I can’t believe you did that.”

Tatum peeks out from behind me, her spiked drink running down the features of the asshole in front of me.

If I weren’t a live wire ready to spark at any second, I would’ve laughed and given her a high five for that move.

Instead, I stick my arm out in front of her chest, keeping her as far away from these guys as possible.

“You’re lucky that’s all she did, asshole,” I seethe, muscles coiled tight. “Now get the fuck out of here before I break every finger on the hand I’m sure you’ll use to fuck yourself with tonight.”

The blonde huffs and runs a hand through his wet hair. He shoots a heated glare at me and Tatum before stalking off the dance floor with his friend hot on his heels, hopefully to the exit so they can’t try to hurt another woman here.

Tatum sags against my side. I spin to face her, wrapping my arms around her back. Her cheek meets my chest, the gesture easing the tension in my shoulders. Vanilla floods my senses, and I sigh at her familiar scent coating the air around us.

She’s here. She’s safe.

If I hadn’t been watching and missed him slipping that pill into her drink, tonight could’ve ended vastly different. The thought alone floods my body with unfamiliar rage. If he had hurt her… God, I don’t know what I would’ve done.

It scares me what I would do for this girl, even if it means ruining myself in the process.